Healthy Homes Standards
The Healthy Homes Standards are designed to ensure New Zealand rental properties are warm, dry and healthy to live in. Every rental home must now meet minimum requirements across several key areas, and the compliance details for your property will be noted in your tenancy agreement.
At Ray White, we work closely with landlords to make sure the homes we manage meet these standards and remain comfortable and safe to live in. Understanding the standards will help you recognise what good housing looks like and know when to get in touch if something doesn’ t seem right. The Healthy Homes Standards cover five key areas:
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture ingress and drainage
• Draught stopping
Each of these contributes to creating a healthier home environment, helping to reduce issues such as dampness, mould, condensation and high heating costs.
HEATING STANDARD
The main living room must have a fixed heating source that is powerful enough to heat the space to at least 18 ° C. Portable heaters do not meet the standard as they generally cannot heat a room consistently and may be more expensive to run. Most compliant homes will have a heat pump, wood burner, or approved fixed electric heater sized appropriately for the room.
Common questions
• Does my heater need to be a particular type? It must be permanently installed and sized appropriately for the main living room, with heat pumps or modern fixed panel heaters commonly used. Portable heaters are not a qualifying heat source for Healthy Homes compliance.
• What if the heater is there, but it does not seem to heat the space well? Let your property manager know. Sometimes additional heating or an adjustment may be required.
• Can I use extra portable heaters? Yes, if you choose, but these don’ t count toward the standard and may add to your power bill.
INSULATION STANDARD
Your rental home must have ceiling and underfloor insulation that meets minimum performance levels, which vary by region. Good insulation helps the home stay warmer in winter, cooler in summer, and reduces moisture and condensation.
Common questions
• How do I know the insulation meets the standard? A compliance assessment should be completed and the details recorded within your tenancy agreement. You can request further confirmation from your property manager.
• What if the insulation looks old or damaged? If you notice signs of sagging or damp insulation( for example, if you can see it from a ceiling hatch), let us know so it can be checked.
VENTILATION STANDARD
Living areas and bedrooms must have windows or doors that can be opened to allow fresh air into the home. Kitchens and bathrooms must have extractor fans that vent moisture to the outside, helping to reduce mould and condensation.
Common questions
• Should I use the extractor fans every time? Yes, using them regularly helps prevent dampness and mould from developing.
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